So check it out! 9 PM. I'm gonna be there so you can say hello to me! Or, you can say goodbye to Caw! Caw! After tonight they're heading on out to Ohio, New York and places beyond! But just in case there are some of you who won't be able to show, you can actually listen to "Wait Outside" streamed in it's entirety! as an e-card... here!

But hey also! Here are some toys.

This is a custom I finished a long while ago but have finally sent out today. It's the first toy I've ever made of faux-fur. It's the first toy I've ever made with plastic joints, so it's arms can move. It's also the first toy I've ever made to cross an ocean! It's not the first of my toys to arrive in a different country though... that distinction goes to the six legged elephant custom, Maylo. It lives in Mexico.

This yellow furry, wolf boy is headed to the UK. His snout mask comes off. His face is embroidered. And I had to hide him because my cat's too curious and wants to eat yellow fur! I gave him a scrap piece and he plays with it everyday!

Here's Jonesy!He has a tough time sitting up. He's my first toy with lips and teeth! His mouth is the best part!Uugobot!

Uugobot (You-Go-Bot) is a simplified version of my space octopus, essentially the same techniques and designs for both toys. The biggest difference in the sewing process is the way the legs are attached. Uugo's sort of swing around when you pick him up and spin a bit, the octopus' arms stay still.And here's Mr. Honey Melon, I just sewed him up a lil bit ago so no fancy pictures. I like the atmosphere of the picture! Something is terrifying!

All of the last three will soon be making an appearance on Etsy in search of some new homes!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

So! Yesterday was my first ever visit to the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago! I saw a whole bunch of real cool things, met a few real nice people but didn't take enough pictures and forgot everybody's name... sorry folks!

But! I did take a few pictures and I'm happy to share them! They're mostly of my very good friend Cuau.

You can see how wet it was out there! But me and Cuau made the trek to the Fair! Unfortunately Cuau showed without a umbrella or poncho....

He got so wet!

A quick glimpse of the rainy day fair extravaganza!

We headed toward Kmart, no umbrellas in sight, so Cuau bought this children's poncho for ages 8+. Then it stopped raining!

And here's a few wonderful ladies and gents that I got to meet and chat with for a bit! I was hoping to talk to everyone but I was pretty rained out and my legendary gift of gab floundered! Also my double apologies to folks below... I don't remember your names! But hey, I've made sure to include websites!

A booth filled with some amazing art... on coasters, magnets, mirrors and mousepads?! Absolutely faaantastic! Truth be told, this was the only booth I bought anything from yesterday. There was a sweet mirror I got for my little sister, and then I picked up a set of six Coasters featuring the art of AshleyG.... even though I don't have any cups...

AHH! Mouthes! Mouthes, pouches and pockets! I love them. I'm quite envious since my toys are quite lacking in the mouth/pouch area. ARRH! So wonderful! And of course that is Casey Mcclurg on the left! I know because it's on her card.

Some 35 different toymakers from the Etsy Street Plush Team were displaying some absolutely wonderful creations! Hahaha, I was in awe stepping into the booth! It's pretty cool to see lots of these artists online, but it doesn't compare to seeing their toys in person!

Oh special mention to Dust Furniture! I completely forgot to snap a quick picture of them and their absolutely amazing furniture. I want them to build and furnish a house for me! Pictured is "Stacked Cabinet No. 4" Look!! I want all my furniture to twist and bend...

So hey! If any of you see yourself in a picture and just want to remind me of your names... I'd be super happy!

And of course, I'm not above shameless self promotion. Haha. I made a little furry pouch and Junior the night before, then I very quickly painted my website onto a little poster for Junior to hold up. However! because of the rain I had to cover Junior up with some see through vinyl, it worked pretty well... Here's a closer look!

No one really got to see him out of the pouch... I was carrying him all day and I got more than a few looks. A few comments by some to others as I walked past. But maybe next time instead of being a walking advertisement I'll get to sit myself down in a nice little booth surrounded by my fun fun creations.

Then finally!! Me and Cuau headed on over to Sultan's Market... no lamb shawarmas... but the Falafel was a welcome meal after a lengthy day of walking and being soaked. Aalllthough... if that Lou Malnati's was finished and opened we could've had some delicious spinach deep dish....

So hey! The fair is still happening today, starting again at Noon! That's in less than an hour! Head on down (or up) to Division St between Damen and Hermitage. Take the train or bus, don't drive! Where would you park? Make sure to check out everybody I've mentioned here, but there's a lot more to see too! I just like toys and coasters the most I guess.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

I did paint this. It's watercolor and fairly small. My first time using watercolors since like fourth grade. I want to paint more faces. Also I didn't know what recumbent meant until after I titled it.

Meanwhile, things are moving real slow on the plushie front cause I'm fat and lazy! But something great is in the works... or maybe I'm just a big fat liar.

Monday, September 8, 2008

I'm so lazy. Instead of coming up with something wondrously new and deliciously interesting... I bring you another one of these guys. At least he's awesome, if not a bit lopsided! Well I think so.

"Love and a Sandwich" on Ebay!

A young lady who happens to live far away from here is auctioning off a One of a Kind Plush Monster on Ebay! It's her first Ebay auction, though she's been making and selling plush for a good long time now.

This is a Teeku! A quick snippet from his Ebay description: "Teeku's are one of the most expressive creatures in the monster kingdom. Their vocals can range from cooing and purring like a kitten, to screeching like car tires, or exploding like fireworks..."

Check out those balloons! Then go bid on it! Auction ends on Septbember 14th!

The Renegade Craft Fair

It's coming it's coming! 4 days to go! You can actually browse through the front page of TheNeedle.org to see a number of different toymakers from the Plush Team and the plushie wares they'll be peddling.

CAW! CAW!

Don't forget about CAW! CAW!'s EP release show on September 23rd! Abbey Pub in Chicago! Check out their MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/cawcawmusic) for info as well as another song, "Wrapped Up Neat in the Bible."

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Last night I felt sort of sad because I might be blinding an innocent crab somewhere with my plushie voodoo magic....

I suppose I didn't have to go for the eyes....

anyhoo.

Well here's Frank. I made him last night so I'd have a reason to update my blog real quick. I just wanted to make something simple and fairly straight forward.

Frank's mostly sewn by hand, his teeth were done on the machine, made of corduroy, fleece and this red cotton print. He's basically just a box but I like him. I might make one or two more (no promises), slightly redesigned, and done much quicker on the sewing machine.

Heh, real lazy pictures....

But here's some stuff to add to your calendar! For you Chicago folks at least.

Back in high school I was one of the real cool kids, and like all the cool kids I was part of the Engineering Club. The club hosted a cardboard Regatta. A whole bunch of different teams entered boats made of cardboard and duct tape to see which ones could go furthest in the school swimming pool. Note: Real simple cardboard rafts work real well.

I bring this up because of the upcoming Redbull Flugtag in Chicago! Basically a whole bunch of different teams enter flying machines and try to see how far they'll go before they hit the water.

I was hoping to get out to The Redbull Flugtag this years since I've always wanted to go. But I won't be able to because of a weekend filled with family events. It's being held at North Avenue Beach on Saturday, September 6 2008! That's in two days! It's free to watch. Seats are first come first serve so it's best to get there early cause I think it gets craaazy crowded. The gates open at 11am with the first flight happening at 1pm. Check it out, tell me how it was.

Then of course there's the Renegade Craft Fair coming up!

(click the banner...)

September 13-14 on Division St between Damen Ave and Hermitage St. It's going to be huuuge! From Noon to 10pm on both days. Over 200 artists and crafters selling some amazing items. I actually was hoping to take part in the Renegade Craft Fair this year buuut.... excluding the fact that I sew like a snail a booth also costs $300+ for both days. I'm a poor, poor man! SOoo... Buy my toys to fund my 2009 Renegade Craft Fair Debut!

Of course I'll be attempting to visit Renegade on both days and take a ridiculous amount of pictures to share here. It's gonna be an awesome chance to meet all sorts of toymaking folks, I'll make some new friends and introduce you to them. I'm also thinking I should wear a costume.... Antler hat and cape perhaps?? A plushie monster bursting from my stomach? We'll see....

And let's not forget about Caw! Caw!'s upcoming show! Their newest EP "Wait Outside" will be available at the show on September 23, 2008. It's happening at the Abbey Pub on 3420 W. Grace St!!